[The detection of p16 protein in uterine cervix lesions].

Objective: The detection of p16 in oncocytology and in the surgical pathology of the uterine cervix.
Setting: Department of Pathology and Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Brno.
Methods: An imunocytochemical and immunohistochemical analysis of formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded samples of the uterine cervix (included knips biopsies) and liquid based smears was performed. The bioptic database included 7 cases of CIN II-III, 5 cases of reactive epithelial changes and 3 cases of atrophic epithelium. 36 liquid based smears, 25 cases of CIN III and 11 cases of uterine cervix without a dysplastic lesion.
Results: Nuclear and cytoplasmatic p16 positivity was found in 22 cases of CIN III in liquid based smears. Diffuse and intensive p16 expression was in 5 cases of knips biopsies CIN III.
Conclusion: The detection of p16 seems to be a valuable tool in surgical pathology of the uterine cervix: possible evaluation of the surgical margins, differential diagnosis regarding reactive atypia, and it is also prospective in oncocytologic diagnosis regarding differential diagnosis of the ASCUS, or can be used in monitoring of the uterine cervix dysplasia.